NEWARK, N.J. – A former special agent of the FBI today admitted his role in acquiring confidential information about an undercover law enforcement operation in Newark and giving it to another individual, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Ivan Stantchev, 42, of Alexandria, Va., pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with exceeding his authorized access to an FBI computer and obtaining confidential, non-public information from the FBI, which he provided to another individual. Stantchev entered his guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In June 2011, Stantchev, then a special agent with the FBI, was asked by the other individual to obtain confidential, non-public information in connection with four telephone numbers and any individuals associated with those numbers. Stantchev asked an FBI colleague (Individual 1) located in the New York Metro area to obtain this information from confidential FBI computers.

On June 30, 2011, Individual 1 sent Stantchev an electronic document through the FBI’s email system detailing confidential, non-public information from certain FBI databases, including the existence of an ongoing FBI investigation in Newark, N.J.; the federal offenses being investigated in Newark; the related FBI case number; the name of the FBI’s operation; and notations confirming the existence of an undercover law enforcement operation in Newark. Stantchev provided this confidential, non-public information to other individual.

The count to which Stantchev pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of one year in prison and fine of $100,000. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 11, 2012.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General New York Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Tomlinson, for the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the FBI for its assistance and cooperation in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra L. Moser of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.